New Kincora Arrives
Well the secret is out, I have purchased my next shorthanded boat. The process started before I sold the Express 27 in May. The plan was to be sailing the new boat by late June and not miss a couple of the major races, and our trek to Maine. Well patience was needed to buy the boat so the plans had to adapt to the new schedule.
Early June I went to EYC in Toronto and met the owner (Malcolm Little) whose Archambault 31 was not for sale. The deal was to take his boat for a sail so I could confirm the A31 is a great boat. I did just that on June 1st in 12-16 kts of wind with three of us on board. The boat sails great, they are built to a very high EU/French Cat A standard and are lightweight, with huge interior, fantastic deck ergonomics, all while being fast and fun. More positives are the enclosed head with holding tank, full headroom, full galley; sit down nav station, aft double cabin, a very nice boat indeed.
At this point I had researched all I could about every Archambault 31 on the market. EU had boats for sale, and two boats are in North America. One of the NA boats the owner had on the market, but did not really want to sell. The other was the boat I sailed in Toronto.
So after a month of discussing it with Malcolm we came to a deal, and I put a deposit on the boat in late July. Closing was scheduled for 8 Sept. After I was back from our amazing Maine trip, I talked with Malcolm who was ready to move faster and close the deal. So we moved the closing up to 24th of Aug right after the midday survey at Port Credit Marina.
One note here: I have purchased and sold over 40 boats and have never dealt with anyone as honest, organized, and as fun to be around as Malcolm. Thank you Malcolm you are a very special person.
The boat shipped 30 Aug and arrived in Brewer, Wickford Cove 31 Aug. Andrews Trucking moved the boat and I highly recommend their service. I also highly recommend Brewer, Wickford Cove, RI, who has been hauling and launching our boats for years.
So the next phase in Paul’s shorthanded sailing has begun. She was launched on Friday 9 Sept and I sailed her to the mooring in Dutch Harbor on Saturday. Yesterday I did a shake down sail with Carol and we had a great time. A lot to learn, which is a process I love.
Fun to paddle up to her this morning and know I am back in control of my sailing. Now for the next month I will put as many miles on her as I can, and learn what is needed to dial her in this winter for my sailing style and shorthanded races. As you would expect I have a bunch of great ideas. Happy to say there is no structural work is needed, ah a solid all foam core vacuumed bagged boat.
Keep checking back as there will be a lot of fun projects and sailing videos.